As the photographers, we want you to get all the amazing pictures you're hoping for on your wedding day. Here are some tips for great wedding pictures that you can use while planning, as well as the day of the wedding to give yourself the best possible chances of getting the pictures you want.

-Know your sun - When planning your ceremony and reception times, do a quick lookup for sunset times that day. Obviously, we'll have lighting to shoot whatever and whenever, but if you specifically want bright, daylight pictures, be sure to plan your schedule accordingly. And while the schedule is usually driven by the ceremony and reception times, try to avoid scheduling outdoor pictures at mid-day. Direct overhead sunlight isn't very flattering, so the closer to sunset the better.

-Know where you are - This is tied in with the "know your sun" advice. We've had multiple times where somebody has sent examples of their favorite type of wedding pictures - say, a bride and groom in a pretty field - and then they tell us that they're getting married downtown. Or they'll say they love gritty urban scenes and are getting married at a plantation. Just keep in mind what's in the area of your wedding locations, and/or build in lots of extra time to go to any out of the way locations to get different looks. Photographers can come close to working magic with lighting and camera angles, but turning a city into a field requires tons of (expensive) Photoshop work.

-Good things take time - We want you to get great pictures and enjoy your reception time to the fullest. Doing as many pictures as possible before the ceremony helps. From the photographer's perspective, first looks are always recommended since they allow for so much more time. If you want those creative, fun shots of you and your bridal party, build in plenty of time. We're happy to help with the schedule.

-Don't be late - Ok, nobody really plans on running late, but it almost always happens because hair and makeup takes a little longer than expected, getting dressed takes a little longer than expected, somebody got lost on the way there, or any one of a million reasons. Picture time is always the first thing to get eaten up when other things run late. Save yourself some stress and make sure you get the pictures you want by allowing more time than you think you need. Worst case when you build in extra time is that you get to relax and hang out with your friends for a few extra minutes. Worst case when you don't build in extra time is that you end up running late for your own wedding.

-Know the rules - Ask your venues about the photography policies. Some venues (ahem...churches) have restrictions and the photographer will work with whatever those limits are. We just don't want you to be surprised when they you only get 10 minutes on the alter for pictures or the photographer can only take pictures through a window across the street.

-Appoint a wrangler - Recruit somebody who knows a lot of the people in the formal pictures to help gather others. Having them help and call out names can make that whole process go faster so we can move on to more fun pictures or you can get to the reception if we did other pictures earlier.

-Smile! You'll probably be doing this all day, but often, such as when walking down the aisle, people forget about faces. It doesn't have to be a big forced smile the whole way down, but look happy! Alternatively - Cry! Emotion is totally cool, just let it out. As long as they're happy tears...

-Make the first kiss last - You don't have to make out, but something more than a quick peck will let you get a couple more pictures. I want to capture the real moment, not recreate it later.

-Give orders - Grab the photographer if you think of more pictures that you want during the reception. Some people say they feel "bossy" when dragging the photographer around to get shots with their guests. It's ok, really. Don't hesitate to grab us for any pictures you want. That's what we're there for.

-Help the photographer - Everybody has a camera and they love to use them at weddings. They love to use them so much that they'll jump into aisles in front of the photographer, so instead of a really nice picture of you walking down the aisle, you get a grainy-blury one from someone's phone, and a beautiful picture of the back of that someone's head. If other people are snapping photos during formals, you end up with people looking in all directions. Some brides go so far as to tell their guests "no cameras," but we don't want that, just for you to help if there's somebody hanging on our backs or jumping in front of us all day. We'll ask people directly first, but if it's really a problem, we'll let you know.

and of course...

-Just be happy! You're getting married!

Past brides - If you have any advice you'd like to add, feel free to send it to steve@shoot2studios.com.

As soon as I met April I knew we'd have fun. I normally find myself trying holding back on my typically excessive use of the words "dude" and "awesome" in wedding conversations, but felt no such urge to do so here. She's the cousin of a friend of mine and a roller derby girl, so there was no shortage of laughs. Really, check out the picture of the crowd in church during their ceremony. Who else has that much fun in church?! She's the only bride I've worked with so far who has successfully rocked a luchador mask on the dance floor.
Oh, and they had cake pops at the reception at the Napoleon House. If you've read much of this blog, you know that I'm hopelessly addicted to cake pops.

Whenever I talk with somebody about their wedding schedule I ask the question "So are you doing a first look?" Some couples giggle and say "Yes!" Other couples do that thing where they look at each because one person wants to and the other doesn't so they say "we haven't decided yet." Some people just look at me with panic in their eyes like "What is this first look? I've got so many details to plan and I keep discovering more things I need to do and omg, why didn't I go to Vegas?" For those in group one - high five, you're all set. Group two - I don't want to start any arguments, but read on if you want the perspective of somebody who has seen things done both ways a bunch of times. Group three - relax, I'll explain below. And there's still time to go to Vegas, but take me with you. What is a First Look?

Tradition has it that the first time that the bride and groom should see each other on their wedding day is when she appears at the end of the aisle and makes her way toward him. When she makes it to the alter there is literally an unveiling. I'll let you do your own research into all the symbolism behind this... Anyway, after they see one another they might have another hour or more of mass, ceremonial exits, and greeting lines before they (maybe) get a moment to themselves. More than likely, they'll jump right into pictures and then head off to the reception without a break.

A first look is a newer tradition. A private location will be chosen where the groom is taken to wait for his bride. There isn't a room full of people here, just the groom and the photographer (and occasionally videographer or a close friend or two). The bride will walk up behind the groom and tap him on the shoulder so he knows to turn around and see his lady in her gorgeous dress for the first time, and she can see her guy (probably looking cleaner and better dressed than ever before). The beauty of this is that it's just them. There is no ceremony to jump into. No room full of eyes on them. No having to try to focus and repeat words. Just let things happen. Hug, kiss, smile, laugh, cry. This is the best time for it. It's also a great time to exchange personal letters or small gifts. If your wedding is like most, you won't get another private moment until after the reception is over.

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In addition to what always turn out to be more intimate moments, there are practical elements to doing a first look. Just listing off a few things -

-You see each other when hair and make up are freshly done.

-It's unscripted, so you get to react and do whatever you want. (Not so much an option in church ceremonies) Hug each other. Do a little "we're getting married dance." Whatever, this is the time for it.

-More time for pictures! Seeing each other before the ceremony allows you to build in more time for some of the great creative portrait shots you're probably hiring me for. We'll also get more time to do the fun and creative pictures with your bridal party.

-You get more time with your friends and family. You've probably got lots of people that have come together for this party that you've spent a ton of time planning. I want you to spend time with them! Besides, if you know that there are a bunch of people enjoying your party without you then you'll probably be distracted and won't take as good of pictures anyway. If we've done pictures beforehand, then you get to spend more time with them and just having fun.

-Did I mention that it's more private? I can't stress enough that between first looks and the more traditional "first look at the ceremony," the private, pre-ceremony interactions tend to be incredibly more genuine and touching. People are simply more "real" when there's nobody watching.

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The decision is ultimately up to you. I'll work with whatever you want to do, but since this will come up when we talk, I wanted to put something out there to give you some background on what it is. Be it in private or in front of your friends and family, the first time you see each other will always be great!

The Darby House in Galloway, OH has a spot along the water that provides for one of the most gorgeous ceremony settings you could ask for. I was so happy to shoot Lisa and David's wedding here, especially since I went to high school with them, and also especially since her sister is a wedding photographer who had them turned into proper models by the time I got to them. We held up traffic taking pictures on a little wooden bridge. We drove way too fast out to an old barn for some more pictures before the reception. We tried to get the horse carriage to drive us around, but I guess the horse was only allowed to walk in a small, preset route. Oh well, I guess I won't complain that the morning's rain cleared out and left us with the amazing light you see below.